Master Food and Nutrition course forming

Posted: May 16, 2012 - 11:55pm

Special to The Record

A Master Food and Nutrition Volunteer program is being offered by the Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences designed to provide food and nutrition training for selected individuals in Florida.

Master Food and Nutrition Volunteer is a title given to individuals who receive in-depth food and nutrition training from county extension family and consumer sciences agents and agree in return to give a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service to their local county extension office within the next year.

The St. Johns County Extension office is accepting applications for volunteers. If you are a resident of St. Johns County, the program is open to you. Master Food and Nutrition Volunteer training will be held at the Duval County Cooperative Extension Service office in Duval County from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays from Aug. 1, to Oct. 3. Included will be basic nutrition, nutrition and health throughout the lifecycle, food safety, and the latest food preservation updates in dehydration, canning, pickling, jelly making, and freezing techniques.

Master Food and Nutrition Volunteers give their volunteer hours to their County Extension Offices in many ways. These may include assisting residents with food-related questions, assisting with agent educational projects, teaching nutrition classes, and working with the 4-H youth program.

After completing the training, each participant will be given one of the best food and nutrition reference books available. It is a compilation of extension service fact sheets and bulletins that apply specifically to this region.

There is a charge of $75 to cover lab supplies for the course. Applications for a limited number of openings in the class are now being taken at the county extension office. To receive an application, contact the St. Johns County Extension office at 209-0430. Application deadline is June 8.